Hilltop Lodge (wildlife abundant), Colby, Appleby.

Hilltop Lodge is a beautiful detached timber building set in enclosed garden (perfect for dogs). It's open plan, with a wood-burning stove to keep you warm on an evening, with well-equipped modern kitchen and dining area. It has large windows with lots of natural light. The garden is abundant in wildlife throughout the year, and has a lovely terrace to sit out on. It’s a great base for relaxing, enjoying wildlife, adventuring, or being creative. An 11am check-out will add to the relaxed feel. Hilltop Lodge is set within an enclosed garden, surrounded by wildlife. The open plan character makes for a great space - light and airy in the summer but cosy in the autumn & winter months. There's nothing like a wood burning stove and the smell of wood-smoke to make you feel relaxed at this time of year. The Lodge is newly refurbished, and has a contemporary yet country feel to it. The kitchen is well-stocked & we provide plenty of firewood. Due to the recent Covid-19 outbreak, we're using conventional cleaning products for kitchen/bathroom/surfaces as a precaution, with extra diligence during cleaning between bookings. Plenty of hand-wash is provided, as well as anti-bacterial gel. There is absolutely no need to make contact with fellow humans either! It's set up for self-checkout so you can be assured that measures to reduce exposure here are minimised as far as reasonably possible. All your basics will be there such as tea, coffee, sugar, oils, spices & seasonings. We’ll provide some seasonal and/or local goodies to help you settle in, as well as games for you to while away the evenings or rainy days. Due to its peaceful setting, space and natural light, it’s perfect for those seeking somewhere to be creative away from the hubbub. There are free range chickens, ducks, children & a friendly, well-behaved dog so bear this in mind when you drive in through the main gates! (they aren't in the Lodge's garden). Hilltop Lodge is just a mile or so from Appleby, in the village of Colby where there are views of the Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales. Colby Beck runs through the village to the River Eden, and there are riverside footpaths to enjoy, just 2 minutes away. Appleby has lots of independent restaurants, pubs, butchers, grocers, giftshops, cafes, chemist and a gallery. Bolton (2 ½ miles away) has a great pub and makes for a pleasant evening bike ride. Dogs are very welcome (2 dogs max.). This project is part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Hilltop Lodge is set within 2 ½ acres of land. You are welcome to wander around our patch. We have pasture with 2 horses, a wildflower area with beehives, a pig enclosure, an orchard, a large vegetable garden, and the lawns and flower beds near the main house. You will meet our chickens and ducks along the way. We look after the land with respect to the wildlife there, so you’ll see laid hedges, areas of long grass and scrubby bits, which our resident tree sparrows love. We have fantastic wildlife in the garden including red squirrels. We will leave you in peace but nevertheless on hand if you need help or advice. If you need anything you can just text us. Hilltop Lodge is the perfect place to base yourself if you’re looking for adventures or to relax in the Eden Valley or nearby Lake District, Yorkshire Dales or Pennines. There’s a huge network of footpaths and bridleways to explore, as well as National Cycle Network routes that pass the doorstep (incl. route 71) and through Appleby. Locally, we have well-marked footpaths and bridleways and you’ll a find map of the local area in the Lodge. We can recommend routes. Appleby is just a mile or so away, and there are plenty of pubs cafes and shops. Nearby stations Appleby 1.5 miles and Penrith 12 miles. Ask us for details of local taxis. If you need lifts, we can sometimes help out. We're just minutes from the Settle to Carlisle railway which a fabulous train journey through amazing countryside. There is secure storage for bikes, with bike-washing facilities, as well as tools & equipment for basic maintenance and repair. We can also provide cot and high chair if needed. Please let us know when booking. The business has been supported through EU funding through the LEADER programme.